J.D. Crook
The works of art in my current collection, “A: Rusted Development,” reflect and highlight my journey of recovery from addiction. I used daily for more than five years, was arrested and jailed twice for drug related charges, and severely jeopardized the love and support of my family and friends.
By chance, I turned to art, the painting and sculpturing of rusted metal, in order to escape my desire to use. Like rusted metal, I felt discarded and of no use to anyone. But my art allowed me to transform something unwanted into something beautiful, creative, and alive. Thus, I found a purpose, a reason, and a will to move forward with my life, my recovery, and with my loved ones, again.
Each work of art in the “A: Rusted Development” collection denotes a contemporary use of movement, pattern, balance, color, joy, and an element of surprise given the materials I enjoy using most frequently: oil and acrylic paint, rusted metal, wood, copper wire, beads, twine, muslin and vinyl, and electrical tape.
To date, I have had one gallery exhibition and have sold several smaller pieces from the collection. I hope my art, as everyone is affected or impacted by drug addiction, inspires all people to see the beauty and best in other people regardless of where they are on their journey to recovery.
Be it at the beginning during active addiction, the middle while in active recovery or the end, the “one day at a time” process of staying “clean and sober” and maintaining sobriety. My art, by design, is transformative.
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